Epilogue
3rd March 1940, Mid Ocean, Cherbourg, RMS Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage.
Zoe gazed out to the ocean, oblivious to her surroundings, the first class people wandered around the A deck of the brand new Cunard passenger liner RMS Queen Elizabeth. This time though, she was a guest as the captains wife, and not an officer of the watch on the new 'ship of dreams' to celebrate her launch. She had written her parents a postcard, had spoken to a nice old lady who had now gone for dinner, and was now alone, leaning on the balcony.
She hadn't noted or sensed anyone behind her until Evan pinched her waist ever so discreetly, drawing her close as she jumped, her small heels clicked on the wooden decking.
"Evan," she muttered, laughing as he kissed her neck.
The young captain grinned, holding his wife close.
"You look bored, Zo." he murmured.
"I am. I'm sick of pacing this damn deck." she replied, turning around to face him.
He raised his brow, his hands trailing gently up and down her slender waist.
"Well I can't be having you bored now, can I?"
She raised an amused brow, looping her arms around his strong neck as he stole a loving kiss.
"When do you sign off?" she asked.
"Two o clock, and then I'm all yours till midnight." he replied.
Zoe started to laugh at him then.
"What?"
"You sound like Cinderella."
He grinned and scowled playfully as she knocked his hat off.
"That's an offence, Mrs Marshal."
She battered her lashes at him playfully.
"Tosh."
"It is. Knocking a captain's hat off-"
"Captain!"
Evan grumbled, sighing and turning around.
"We've got a problem."
Zoe blinked at the cadet.
"Go on," she sighed, kissing his cheek.
He picked up his hat and headed back to the wheel room.
"They're not radioing in. Miles reckons they could be Germans sir."
Evan frowned.
"Hold back the engines. Stop the ship, let's see what they do."
The cadet nodded and ran to find the first officer.
"Submarine four two zero this is Captain Marshal of The RMS Queen Elizabeth, can we have your position?"
He paused, holding the radio.
Two cadets watched him nervously, slightly glancing across at Zoe who was now leant in the door way.
"Evan?"
"Submarine four two zero, we need a response."
Zoe walked across and gazed at the screen.
"Evan it's heading righ-"
"Zoe I know." he silenced her firmly.
"Sir...the things sixteen foot long," moused the fourth officer.
"Sixteen foo-"
Zoe stepped back as she watched Evan dart back out on deck so that she wasn't in his way.
He couldn't see anything.
"Sir!"
He darted back into the wheel room as the radio crackled.
"RMS Elizabeth, this is dodgeball four two zero, passing right underneath you chaps."
"Bastards," muttered Evan as the two cadets laughed at the British accent.
"Just hurry up boys, you're interfering with our radio."
"Will do chaps. Over and out."
"Every flaming time. Why?"
"Probably want to get a look at the scale of her sir."
Zoe looked down and hid a smile.
"Captain? Why have we stopped?" asked a nosy first class passenger.
Evan turned to her and forced a polite smile.
"Nothing to worry about ma'am, just a submarine underneath us disrupting the radio."
"Goodness is it British?" asked another.
"Yes, it is sir."
"Thank heavens for that."
"We're clear sir."
"Right, start her back up again," instructed Evan.
"Yes captain."
"Always the professional," mused Zoe as he walked towards her.
"I'm sorry I snapped."
She shook her head and smiled.
"You were doing your job."
"Mhm." he shrugged.
"Still wasn't an excuse to snap."
"Evan, you thought a German sub was going to attack. You had every right to shut me up. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and get on." she murmured, kissing him softly on the lips before leaving him to it.
"Now if that were me, I'm have damn trouble concentrating on the job," said Peters loudly.
Evan grinned.
"Good job it's not you then isn't it?"
"I suppose."
Evan chuckled.
"You're a lucky bastard Marshal, I hope you know that."
"Of course." He glanced up at the clock.
"Ah Blimey you're never counting the hours down are you Ev's?"
"Damn right I am. I haven't seen Zoe properly for two damn days."
"I dunno how she puts up with you."
Evan shook his head at the light banter and carried on with some much delayed paperwork.